Create Your Own Natural First-Aid/Travel Kit

Make your own first aid kit with natural, herbal and plant-based remedies.

It’s probably been awhile since you’ve thought about a first-aid kit. After all, most of us don’t experience accidents very often (thankfully!). But when we’re traveling and something does happen, you can bet that the first thing we look for is that kit. Did we leave it in the trunk? Or (gasp) forget it at home?

With the winter holiday travel upon us, this is a great time to think about your first aid kit. You don’t have to buy those ready-made ones, though. Particularly if you’ve grown used to herbal and alternative remedies at home, you aren’t going to want to go back to drug-based remedies abroad.

Fortunately, you can easily make your own kit. Here are some things you may want to consider putting into it. No matter what you add, it’s definitely worth it to take the time to put one together. In fact, consider creating a few—one for the car, one for the home, and maybe even for the office.4 Essentials for Any Kit
The first thing you need it a kit or case to put everything in. What kind of case depends on whether you’re traveling by air or by road, and how many people are in your family. It can be made of anything you choose—just be sure that it will contain the items in case anything leaks, and that it’s sturdy enough to survive abuse.

The second thing is to include a list of key emergency phone numbers. This should include the number for your primary physician, local hospital (or hospital in the town where you’re going to be), police department, fire department, and all work numbers in case you need to call family members.

The third thing all kits need is key medications for family members. If someone in the family is an asthmatic, for instance, you may want to include an inhaler. If someone has serious allergies, an Epi-pen and antihistamines may be a good idea.

Of course, don’t forget the bandages. Add a variety of sizes, such as finger-sized up to large, 2 x 4.5″ options. Include gauze and first-aid tape for wrapping wounds.

Essentials for Your Natural Homemade Kit
Next, you’ll want to pack some of the core essentials. These may include the following:

Aloe vera gel: It’s cooling and healing for all types of wounds, from burns to bites.

Echinacea: It helps you avoid colds and flus while on the road. Great when mixed with vitamin C.

Goldenseal: Perfect for applying to open wounds to keep them from getting infected. In tincture form, it’s good for warding off traveler’s diarrhea.

Tea tree oil: A powerful antiseptic, this oil can be used in many ways. Mix with propolis and apply to insect bites and rashes. Diluted in water, it’s perfect for disinfecting wounds. You can also use it as a mouthwash, as a gargle for sore throats, and to prevent fungal infections.

Lavender: This is the soothing herb. It can help soothe headaches (apply to temples), muscle pain, and bug bites, and is especially useful in encouraging relaxation.

Calendula: Another good one for healing wounds.

Witch hazel: Use this for cleaning out wounds and insect bites.

Ginger: Good for motion sickness and for soothing overall stomach upset.

Yarrow: Good for diarrhea, cramps, and other stomach upset. Can also stop bleeding when sprinkled on minor wounds.

Grindelia: Also called gumweed, this helps relieve poison ivy rash.

Clove oil: This has a nice numbing activity that can work well on sore gums and teeth, and on skin irritations. Dilute in water first.

Citronella based insect repellant: Nothing ruins a trip like a bad insect bite. You can also use peppermint, lemongrass, and geranium to repel pests.

You may also want to include a basic water filter, in case you’re caught in a spot where access to fresh water is limited. Camping filters are perfect. A few space blankets to keep you warm may also come in handy. Some other essentials include candles, matches or a lighter, granola bars, a thermometer, tweezers, knife, and some rope.

Other Options to May Want to Add

Arnica gel or cream: Excellent for sore muscles and bruises, but don’t apply to open wounds.

Chamomile tea: Promotes relaxation and relieves indigestion, and is great even for children.

Kevin Gianni is a health author, activist and blogger. He started seriously researching personal and preventative natural health therapies in 2002 when he was struck with the reality that cancer ran deep in his family and if he didn’t change the way he was living — he might go down that same path. Since then, he’s written and edited 6 books on the subject of natural health, diet and fitness. During this time, he’s constantly been humbled by what experts claim they know and what actually is true. This has led him to experiment with many diets and protocols — including vegan, raw food, fasting, medical treatments and more — to find out what is myth and what really works in the real world.

Kevin has also traveled around the world searching for the best protocols, foods, medicines and clinics around and bringing them to the readers of his blog RenegadeHealth.com — which is one of the most widely read natural health blogs in the world with hundreds of thousands of visitors a month from over 150 countries around the world.

Oh yeah, coconut oil is a great add for sure! I use it for getting rid of diaper rash, baby lotion, moisturizer for myself and my kids, and it’s good for chapped lips, skin problems, etc. Plau you can use it as a hair conditioner apparently, and it’s a good healthy fat with antifungal, antibacterial and even antiviral properties…

Preparations is important for everyone. Everyone faces the possibility of a lost job, poor health or natural disaster situations. Take a hard look at where you are. If you have nothing get started on something. Get yourself together a first aid kit specific to your needs. Then work on a 72 hour survival kit. Store some water. If you have those things under control start saving for a rainy day and don’t forget to store at least a two week supply of food. Remember preparation starts with you, not the government.